Washington DC is hosting a weekend filled with activities celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and inaugural protests. The Anacostia Community Museum invites participants to join local artist Rain Young in creating plate art that conveys messages of hope and unity. Additionally, the 20th Annual MLK Peace Walk & Parade will take place at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, offering performances and a Health & Wellness Fair.

Concurrently, the city will witness significant protests around the presidential inauguration, including a Women’s March-managed People’s March and rally, predicted to draw 50,000 participants. These events, honoring Dr. King’s legacy, encourage community engagement and advocate for equality and justice.

Messages to Dr. King: Plate Art with Rain Young

Messages to Dr. King: Plate Art with Rain Young

The Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, DC is open on Inauguration Day, but most Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are closed. The museum celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free public programming.

When Saturday, January 18, 2025, 12 â€“ 2 PM
Venue Anacostia Community Museum
Event Location 1901 Fort Place SE
Cost Free
Get Tickets/Registerwww.eventbrite.com…

Details
Join the Anacostia Community Museum for a weekend of events celebrating Dr. King.On Saturday January 18 join us and local artist and arts educator Rain Young in a creative, hands-on workshop dedicated to expressing personal messages to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through art.Using oversized plastic plates as our canvas, we’ll explore ways to share messages of unity, hope, and dreams for a better world. This experience is for all ages and skill levels, providing an opportunity for self-expression while learning from Rain’s unique artistic style and vision. Each participant leaves with a personal message plate in honor of Dr. King. Supplies are provided.

Learn tickets

20th ANNUAL MLK HOLIDAY DC PARADE 

JANUARY 18, 2025
11 AM  MLK Parade @ Entertainment & Sports Arena

Doors open at 10:30am / Note: this year’s event will be held indoors at ESA.

Join us for the 20th Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade, celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with this year’s theme: â€œCommit to the Noble Struggle for Equal Rights.”

For 40+ years, this historic event has honored Dr. King’s vision, starting in 1979 with radio host Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, and Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark. Held on one of the first streets named for Dr. King, the parade began six years before his birthday became a federal holiday.

This year’s celebration will take place indoors at the Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) in Congress Heights, SE DC. Participants will march into the arena from Cypress Street, leading into a day full of activities:

  • Parade performances with a reviewing stage.
  • Student Essay Competition Awards honoring young leaders.
  • A Health & Wellness Fair to support community well-being.
  • Free groceries, local merchandise, and more!

Dr. King’s life reminds us that “every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice.” Be part of this year’s MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade and honor his legacy.

Let’s make history together on Saturday, January 18, 2025—see you there!

People gather to protest Donald Trump
The National Women’s March held November 2024. Photo: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images

A demonstration dubbed the People’s March will be one of the bigger protests this weekend surrounding President-elect Trump’s inauguration.

The big picture: There is less protest activity for Trump II than his inauguration in 2017, but organizers are still putting on some big events.

The Women’s March group and its partners will host the People’s March and a rally on Saturday afternoon.

  • The protest is permitted for 50,000 people.
  • Crowds will begin to assemble at Farragut Square, Franklin Square and McPherson Square downtown for the march, ending at the Lincoln Memorial by 1pm, the National Park Service permit says.
  • Progressive speakers for reproductive rights and racial justice will address the crowd during the rally, including Rachel Carmona, the head of the Women’s March.

Rev. Al Sharpton is planning an MLK Day Rally and March on Monday, during the same time as the inauguration.

Keywords: MLK Day, Washington DC, Inauguration Protests, Peace Walk, Art Workshop

#MLKDay2025 #DCEvents #SocialJustice #InaugurationWeekend #VisitDC #DCEvents

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